From Pastor Josh Laxton
“Don’t look back when God tells you to move forward.”
“Today, will you truly repent of your sin, living life your way, longing for the pleasures of this world? Will you leave your sin and live for your Savior? Will you turn your back on hell and turn your face toward heaven?”
“I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.” From the hymn, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.”
“We need to be focused on God’s mission: to be a blessing to all families of the earth interceding on behalf of the lost.”
Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
As we look at moving forward in our lives, this verse is encouraging on many levels.
God’s plans for us are:
As we live our lives, we know that it is God who directs our steps forward.
A biblical example of moving forward in faith was Abraham. God told Abraham to leave the place where he was living with his family and go to a new land that God would give to him. This involved Abraham moving forward from his present circumstances to go to an unknown future place that God would take him to. This movement from the present into the future was not easy for Abraham. It was tough going. Abraham faced famine, traveling through hostile territories, threats to his family and disputes with his ungodly neighbors. Abraham did not have all the answers, but he believed God and was faithful as he moved forward and not backward.
Another example of moving forward in faith was Noah. Looking at Noah’s circumstances, it would be very strange for anyone to build a large boat in the middle of dry land. But Noah did build an ark on dry land to God’s specifications, and Noah did not look back. God knew the future and was preparing a way for Noah and his family to escape the great flood that would be coming on the earth because of the great wickedness that had overtaken the world.
There are also examples in the Bible of people who started to move forward but ended up looking back and it did not go well. As we learned in the sermon this week, Lot’s wife was one of these examples. When she was fleeing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, she disobeyed God and looked backward at the life she had, and not at the life God had planned for her future, and she turned into a pillar of salt.
The disciples also had a clear call from Jesus to move from their past as fishers of fish to going forward as fishers of men. When Jesus called them, they left their professions and became Jesus’ disciples. It is interesting that after Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, even though Jesus appeared to them on several occasions, the disciples made a decision to go back and resume fishing for fish. It could have been that they were hungry, needed to make some money, or were looking for something to do, but nevertheless they went back to catching fish. Their fishing expedition was not very successful until Jesus appeared to them and told them to recast their nets. But in addition to telling them to recast their nets so they would catch 153 fish, Jesus used this time to refresh and remind them that they had a greater forward-looking purpose, to fish for men and to be shepherds and leaders in His Kingdom.
We also need to be looking forward in order to see and not miss what God has in store for us. Our desire needs to be to fulfill God’s divine plans for us (like the future plans God had for Abraham and Noah) and not to revert to going or even looking backward. The past and even the status quo aren’t God’s best for us and what God has in mind for our future. God has mighty plans that require us to move forward, growing in faith and embracing the future, as we have faith and trust in Him for our next steps. As we read the Bible, pray, listen to God, and seek godly counsel, God will faithfully reveal the exciting future He has in store for us.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 in the message Bible states: “So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
Don’t look back when God tells you to move forward.
Five categories of people regarding looking back:
Looking back has to do with how people view and respond to:
To look forward:
We are not to cling to:
Picture of Salvation (Genesis 19:17):
Key questions to ask:
The only category we want to be a part of is the category of those who move forward because they’ve focused on the Lord of the future.
We must be interceding on behalf of the lost and the target of God’s wrath, being in the world but not of it.
Don’t look back when God tells you to move forward!
During this week, reflect by doing a self assessment of anything that is holding you back from moving forward in your life with God, your church and with others. Consider areas of sin like sexual sin, gossip, slandering others, unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, jealousy, pride, etc. Think about ways you can set your face fully turned toward heaven. Ways to strengthen your forward movement might include studying the Bible, joining a class or group, finding a mentor, or seeking godly counsel. If you need help moving forward, there are opportunities for assistance at Northland by connecting with a Minster on Duty, Stephen Minister, or Counseling Resources. (See Additional Resources Section below.)
Also during this week, make it your mission to look forward and focus on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Pray that God will reveal to you ways you can be totally surrendered and obedient to the forward direction and prompting of God. Is there someone you need to call or text to tell them you love them? Do you know a person who might be in need in some area of their life where you can offer help? What might be some little acts of kindness and love you could do today? Can you pray for your neighbor and see opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel with them?
Lord, we desire to look forward knowing that the future is in your hands. Help us to trust you as we embrace the future and as we step out in faith and look to you for direction and guidance. We want to be people who are open and not afraid to step forward, not looking back, for we know that you go forward with us and you have amazing things in store for us. Let us demonstrate how much we love you, love our church and love others as we are obedient to you and to your word so that others will be drawn to faith in Jesus. In these exciting days, as we look forward to the future you have in store for Northland Church, let us continue to dream big dreams and be on mission for you, reaching our neighbors and nations as we share the good news of King Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Connect with a Minister on Duty
—Connect with a Stephen Minister
January 21-February 12 | Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 9 & 11 a.m.
Something big is coming. Throughout five decades of ministry, we've seen God move in some miraculous ways. Join Pastor Josh as he unveils our biggest update yet ... a new vision for the next 50 years
Serve Together on a Short-Term Missions Trip!
Participate in Missions Trips in places such as Brazil, Spain, and Uganda as a towel-holder with our Missions Team!
Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30 during weekend worship services
If you have never been baptized before this is your chance to make a public statement of your faith. Be sure to invite your friends and family to celebrate with you!
Pastor Josh has introduced the phrase “towel holder” into our vocabulary. To be a towel holder simply means to serve the way Jesus did. Learn about the current needs for service, both in the community and around Northland.
